Top Azure Interview Questions for Professionals with 5 Years Experience

Navigating the complexities of Azure can be challenging, especially when preparing for an interview with five years of experience. To ensure you’re well-prepared, this guide delves into critical Azure interview questions that reflect both foundational and advanced concepts. We'll explore questions that touch on core services, architecture, and problem-solving approaches, giving you a comprehensive preparation strategy.

1. What is Azure Resource Manager (ARM) and how does it work?
Azure Resource Manager (ARM) is the deployment and management service for Azure. ARM provides a management layer that enables you to create, update, and delete resources in your Azure account. It allows you to deploy resources in a resource group and manage those resources through a common interface.

2. Can you explain the difference between Azure Functions and Azure Logic Apps?
Azure Functions and Azure Logic Apps both enable serverless computing but serve different purposes. Azure Functions allow you to run small pieces of code without managing infrastructure, ideal for single-task execution. In contrast, Azure Logic Apps help automate workflows and integrate services using a visual designer, suited for orchestrating complex workflows and integrations.

3. What is Azure DevOps and how is it used in CI/CD pipelines?
Azure DevOps is a set of cloud-based collaboration tools used for planning, developing, testing, and delivering software. It supports Continuous Integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) pipelines by providing tools for version control, build automation, release management, and monitoring.

4. How do you handle high availability and disaster recovery in Azure?
High availability in Azure is achieved through multiple strategies such as using Azure Availability Zones, Azure Load Balancer, and Azure Traffic Manager. Disaster recovery can be managed with Azure Site Recovery, which replicates your on-premises or Azure virtual machines to a secondary location for failover in case of an outage.

5. What are Azure Virtual Networks (VNet) and how do they enhance security?
Azure Virtual Networks (VNet) provide a private network environment within Azure. VNets enhance security by isolating network traffic, implementing network security groups (NSGs), and enabling Virtual Network Peering and VPN Gateway connections. These features help control and secure inbound and outbound traffic to resources.

6. Describe the role of Azure Active Directory (AAD) in managing identities.
Azure Active Directory (AAD) is a cloud-based identity and access management service that helps manage user identities and access to applications. AAD supports single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and conditional access policies to enhance security and streamline user management.

7. How do you optimize costs in Azure?
Cost optimization in Azure involves various strategies including selecting the right pricing tier for your services, using reserved instances, and monitoring resource usage with Azure Cost Management. Implementing automation scripts to scale resources up or down based on demand can also contribute to cost savings.

8. What is Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) and how do you use it?
Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) is a managed Kubernetes container orchestration service that simplifies the deployment, management, and scaling of containerized applications. AKS abstracts much of the complexity associated with Kubernetes, allowing developers to focus on building and deploying applications.

9. Explain the difference between Azure Blob Storage and Azure Files.
Azure Blob Storage is used for storing large amounts of unstructured data, such as text or binary data, whereas Azure Files provides fully managed file shares in the cloud accessible via SMB protocol. Blob Storage is ideal for scenarios where you need scalable object storage, while Azure Files is suited for applications that require traditional file system access.

10. What are Azure Tags and how do they benefit resource management?
Azure Tags are metadata that you can apply to Azure resources to categorize and organize them. Tags help with cost management, resource management, and policy enforcement by enabling you to filter and report on resources based on their tags.

11. How do you secure data in Azure SQL Database?
Securing data in Azure SQL Database involves using features such as Transparent Data Encryption (TDE), Azure SQL Database Threat Detection, and Advanced Data Security. Implementing role-based access control (RBAC) and network security measures such as virtual network service endpoints further enhances security.

12. What are Azure Blueprints and how do they aid in compliance?
Azure Blueprints provide a way to define a repeatable set of Azure resources and policies that align with organizational requirements. They help in compliance by automating the deployment of resources and applying governance policies to ensure adherence to standards and regulations.

13. How do you implement a virtual private network (VPN) in Azure?
Implementing a VPN in Azure involves creating a Virtual Network Gateway and configuring a VPN connection. This setup allows secure communication between Azure and on-premises networks or other Azure VNets, ensuring encrypted and reliable connectivity.

14. Can you explain the concept of Azure Automation and its use cases?
Azure Automation provides a way to automate repetitive tasks and processes through runbooks and workflows. Use cases include managing VM deployments, patching, and automating cloud resource management. It helps in reducing manual intervention and improving operational efficiency.

15. What is Azure Cosmos DB and how does it differ from traditional databases?
Azure Cosmos DB is a globally distributed, multi-model database service designed for high availability and low latency. It differs from traditional databases by providing automatic scaling, multiple consistency models, and global distribution capabilities, making it suitable for applications with diverse and demanding data requirements.